I am caring for my mother who is is almost 93. She is incontinent. She wears depends and a super absorbant pad at night, but still every morning her bed is still soaked.

I am sure that there is some solution to this problem from others that may have had to deal with this. A nursing home is not an option. But it is frustrating to have to do laundry every day.

Did you talk to her Dr about the meds available? I am not sure if this would help but maybe a waterproof pad under her or something like that.

You could make some bed pads useing the Rubber fabric used for babys cribs and cotton flanel layers make a few about say 45x45 I did this for lots for people I worked for. then you can wash them. Its not cheap but once you have them it save you alot of work/time/heartache. PS buy some Dollar store shower curtains to put under your sheets to add an extra protection!
8-)

could you cut back on her liquids in the late afternoon.?

Do a search for "incontinence bed pads" and lot so links will come up, this is one that I have found: http://nwmedicalsolutions.com/cat_disposable.cfm

They do make life a lot easier, don't ask me how I know.

What about the pads they use to housebreak dogs and puppies? They are specially made to soak up liquid and not allow it to pass thru.

If you have a med supply store in your area, they probably sell those leak proof bed pads used in hospitals.

I bought pads to put under the sheets for a senior from Sears. Have you tried looking in the catalogue for them?
sass

Hospitals and I know special drug stores have these blue things they look like 24 in x 24 in. thsoe are suppose to be waterproof along with waterproof mattress pads. This ia what I used for my mom.

You definately can buy rubberized incontinence sheets (various sizes) from a hospital supply store. We had them for my father and they were about $25 each in Canada but we only needed three, one on the bed, on in the wash and a spare. My mother also used a pessary inserted by her doctor that helped keep her bladder in place and stopped leaking. In addition to the small waterproof sheets we also had a waterproof mattress cover that saved us from many disasters.

I started out with depends for my DML but finaly she had to have a catheter when she could no longer walk with out supporte when she came to live with me I just didn't bring any of her panties and just put the depends in her dresser drawer. Hope Hospis did the cath for me which sure helped. She felted that her independence was taken away but it sure helped her feel more comfortable and saved my furniture. good luck hope it goes smothely for you

About all I can suggest are the pads that are water resistant and has plastic absorbent pad on one side. This is what we used for under the sheet and on top of the sheet. We got them at a local medical supply store, and you can buy them online I'm sure, just Google bed pads and you should get plenty of hits.

Be care about putting a shower curtain or plastic sheeting under the sheet. My sister-in-law did that to my MIL and it was so slippery she slipped out of bed and was on the floor for hours. I would only use a rubber sheet or something made for that type of problem.

one way we have found that helps is NO LIQUIDS after 6pm; being sure to go to the bathroom before bed...in my (care-giving world) bedtime is about 10. we did work with the dr and tried a 2 hour bathroom schedule for awhile-- i would go get grandma up every 2 hours for the bathroom, we used a bed side comode so she didn't have to go far, and she appreciated not having a soaked bed in the morning. after about 2 months she did not need to go every 2 hours, we moved it out to 3, then to 4...now (she's 97) she drinks nothing after 6pm (except a little drink to take meds) and she goes before bed, and i go in after 4 hours and wake her and ask if she needs to go...most of the time the answer is yes. and then she can sleep in until 8 or 9am without accidents.
has been about a year since we started with the 2 hour schedule---been on the 4 hour one for over 6 months-it works for us...

I am getting some wonderful suggestions from all of you. Mother is still ambulatory. I am using some underpads but they are not big enough because she does a lot of moving around at night. I guess bigger is better and will check further on line. Thanks for the help.

You have a lot of good advice so far.
I think it's wonderful that you are caring for your Mom.
Those pads that look like the ones in the hospital are great.
They are washable and comfortable under the person in bed.

I don't have a link but I'm sure a medical supply has them.
I don't like those Chux b/c they have plastic backs and bunch up.
Good luck!

Have you ever thought to go to a nursing home and ask them what they use for their patients? Some are bedridden, some can get around in wheel chairs, those are the ones who must wear diapers 24/7.

I believe the underpads they are referring to are commonly known as Chux--they come in different thicknesses....hope it helps. My father was terminally ill and wanted to remain at home--it sure helped keep him comfortable.

Chux is what we called the at the hospital and nursing homes I have been in. I do believe they come in larger sizes too, or use 2 of them overlapped.

I just remembered that I also found some fabric that wasn't quite waterproof, but had kind of that feel, that I just bought 3 or 4 yards of it, and make a much bigger "pad", then I would put a couple of the store bought pads over it. I don't know if this will help or not.

there is a utility fabric called PUL. it is great for diaper covers. could you make something like that for her to wear? it is a very flexible fabric, and not itchy or crinkly at all. good luck.

Allegro medical.....google them that is where I bought mattress pads instead of puppy pads. They are exactly the same except these are larger and the cheapeat around. Every week or 2 they have free shipping.

You can get the bigger ones that tuck in, http://www.carepathways.com/estore-c...rawsheet%20Pad and for a case of 50 they look a good buy seeing it does away with the laundry problem.

Also be careful with the rubber products. They can cause allergic reactions such as sores and rashes even if covered by a cotton sheet.

You've gotten some good advice and some good links. I would not recommend holding fluids from her though. FIL did this to MIL and she became very very sick from it. It really messed up her electrolytes and caused her to have many problems with medications because she was so dehydrated. Just a something to think about.

I can tell you what finally worked for me when I took care of my Dad. He had Leukemia and this was a big issue after Chemo treatments. First, is she taking any kind of "water pill"? If so, talk to the doctor about the timing of thoses. As far as drinking, with my dad, he was on so many meds that his mouth was dry ALL the time. He would have been miserable if he didn't have something to drink by him at all times. He had to have water with him in the car even so you might want to think about that or talk to her maybe. The chuxs work OK but they bunch up if you put them right under them and they move around so here is the system I used. This is with a hospital bed. If you don't have a hospital bed, ask the DR to write an order for one and Medicaid will pay for it. Anyway...here is what we did with dad:

1. Make sure that the skin is protected with a REALLY GOOD skin cream from the DR. This is SO important because if the skin starts breaking down it is very hard to get it healed.
2. If this works, you will still need to make sure that you change her brief (adult diaper) ASAP after it is wet to avoid skin break down.
3. OK...now that I gave my "don't let the skin break down speech" LOL....Make sure that the Depends or whatever brand you are using has extra padding in the back if she lays on her back. The style for men has the padding in the front which doesn't work at night. You may have to play with how you put them on to get them just right.
4. For the chux, which do work but bunch up, put a really large chux down and use duct tape to tape it to the bed. Now, take a top sheet and fold it to where it is big enough to cover the chux AND the duct tape with plenty of room to make sure that if she moves around, the tape wont end up touching her legs.
5. So....you now have a chux with a folded sheet over it. Go to Walmart or somewhere like that and in the section with the mattress pads and stuff there will be these straps that you use to attach sheets down. Use these to attach the sheet covering the chux to the bed so it will stay in place. With a hospital bed, the springs are underneath so I just attached one end of the strap to the sheet and the other end to a spring under the bed to pull it tight. I did about 3 on each side of the sheet.
6. Now, when you go to change her, just ask her to get on her side (if she can't get up) and roll the sheet, chuxs and all right up to her back. Then roll her over the other way, rolling her over the rolled up sheet, etc. and remove it all. Then you put it all back down the same way.
I bet that is all about as clear as mud. If she has insurance or if you know ANYONE who has done any nursing or anything like that, they could show you how to do it all. Also, like I said, all the briefs, chuxs, etc. should be covered on Medicare/Medicaid.
I hope this helps. I took care of my dad for 2 years. It was very hard since he was over 200 pounds but I am so glad I did. He broke his leg (both bones) and had to be placed in a nursing home/rehab from the hospital and never made it home. We lost him in July but I really think he made it as long as he did because he was able to be here with us. Good luck! :D

Are you using a disposable adult depends, TENA (whatever brand)? Most of the brands have an overnight product that can be a life saver. The bladder training of every two hour toileting can really work. If your mother is ambulatory would she be able to get herself up and use a commode or the bathroom using an alarm. This would help you get your rest and her keep her independance.
otherwise, Iwould make my own underpad using a waterproof fabric and several layers of flannel. I would use a cross stitch to quilt the layers together. Make it big enough to cover the bed from midchest to knees. If it comes to a point when you have to turn your mother while she is in bed, the pads make a great turning sheet so you are not pulling on your mother.
The protective coat for the skin is a great idea especially if she is going in large amounts. They have some that are just barrier cream or lotions, they are clear and just are barriers to prevent breakdown. If she has a rash or irritations be sure you use medicated ointment. There actually is a product that is Butt Cream, first time a Dr ordered it I thought it was so funny. Litttle minds are amused by little things.
Look up incontinent pads on the internet and contact the company, ask for samples to help you make your decisions.
Good luck and remember it won't be under control overnight- LOL

Go to Targer, K-Mart, Walmart and buy the large pads for her to lay on. My mom is invalid and lays on these all the time and is used to "collect stuff". I suggest getting the largest size. Lay it on top of the bottom sheet.

These will not cause any skin irritatioin. Mom has laid on them for 4 years and never a rash.

Poise is one brand but we've been using the store brand...much cheaper. In the incontinence area. PM me if you want.

I found I liked and mom liked the Tena brand best. I never did buy any at the store. Either craigslist or St. Vincent de Paul or Goodwill for usually $5.00 pkg. Also the waterproof pads like they usse in the nursing homes for 2.99. Oh, I just noticed you live in Spanaway. I'm in Auburn. If I can help you collect some things, give me a PM and i'll send you my #. Carreen

This was going to be my solution too. Like, no liquids after 7p.m. or thereabouts.

Here in the UK we would go to our Doctor, or contact our district nurse and discuss catherisation. If Mum is continuously wet then she risks skin breakdown and infection such as thrush. One should not cut down on fluids too much in the elderly. has her urine been tested for an infection? that can cause frequency.
Hope you can get things sorted out. It's a big problem and not very dignified for poor Mum to deal with either.

What good, loving people you all are, and so willing to support each other! This is what makes a truly civilized society!

I recommend you avoid the catheter as infection will be a huge problem. Try to deal with it by the use of pads and diapers. Doubtful you will be able to avoid the laundry.

You can buy several different types of pads commercially made. Some are just plastic. I made cloth pads for my mother using soft flannel for top layered couple pads of absorbant type fabric then layer plastic, vinyl or anything that will act as barrier and then fabric as other side. clean finish edged. Mine were 30 x 36. still have to be washed but hopefully not complete bed. Sharon Moore in OKC

We alwas used "chucks" for that.The blue pads. They probably call them something else now days.

Generally, with a 90-something person, you don't want to cut down liquids, as the very elderly often dehydrate quickly. Dehydration leads to bladder infections. My mom used to get bladder infections because she wouldn't drink. She didn't even know she had the infections. The odor of her urine was unbelievably strong and offensive when she had a bladder infection, so we knew when she had one and took her to the Dr. She, however, didn't know she had the infection. Apparently the bladder nerves were shot - which is probably why she was incontinent.

Take the bed pads others have suggested that you buy at the medical supply store, and fold them long ways several times and put inside her depends.
Take cwcowls suggestion of the 2 hr schedule, ask the Dr if they will check her for a UTI due to the frequency.
and also add a med for the incontience, { they now have a gel
you use once a day, instead of a pill}
no liquids after 5 or 6 pm except enough to take her bedtime meds with.
Does SHE TAKE A water pill? ie bumex or lasix? if so ask about the timing of it, they may be able to adjust the time of day its given.
dealing with it all the time. Hope this helps

If you happen to be a fabic hoarder like me take some of your less liked fabric and make huge soak pads---using battine and
canvas or rubber sheeting--plastic shower curtains are too
slippery and can lead to other problems like falling of slipping out of bed---can go to goodwin and buy old sheets and use also--I know how costly throw away diaper can be. Hope ideas help.

We still call them "chucks" but they are in the computer
as "underpads"
Some of us "old" nurses never change our vocabulary.LOL

Generally, with a 90-something person, you don't want to cut down liquids, as the very elderly often dehydrate quickly. Dehydration leads to bladder infections. My mom used to get bladder infections because she wouldn't drink. She didn't even know she had the infections. The odor of her urine was unbelievably strong and offensive when she had a bladder infection, so we knew when she had one and took her to the Dr. She, however, didn't know she had the infection. Apparently the bladder nerves were shot - which is probably why she was incontinent.[/quote]

That is the same situation with my mother. She has to drink a lot of water, which she hates, to prevent the bladder infections. Sort of a catch 22 situation.